....there is a few things I would have done differently. Don't get me wrong, I have had, at the very least, an interesting life. I had many adventures I never planned for and circumstances I could have never predicted. It's been an Indiana Jones movie with non-stop plot twists and turns. That being said, hindsight being what it is and all, I thought I would pass on my words of wisdom to the youth of today. Not that they will likely listen to me anymore than I listened to my parents but it's my two cents for what it's worth!
The first thing I want to say is, old age happens fast. It seems so far down the road when your twenty and have your whole life ahead of of you, but you wake up one day, straining to read the print on the newspaper and your joints creak as you roll out of bed and you realize that the future is here. Your not decrepit and you have many vital years left, but by now you have made some choices in your life that will affect how the rest of your days will play out. Here is a list of things I wish I would have paid more attention to in my younger years.
1. Savings. Every kid should be given the book to read "The Wealthy Barber" when they get their first allowance. It should be mandatory reading in grade school, hell they should just tattoo it on your chest! I started earning money when I was eleven years old. I had paper routes, graduated to babysitting, then waitressing etc and so on. If I had just saved ten cents from every dollar (leaving me a whopping 90 percent to spend) I would be a millionaire right now and not worried about being homeless in my old age. Just ten percent of any income I received, should have been automatically banked and let the magic of compound interest do it's job. I was a foolio, I thought a white knight would rescue me and marry me and take me off to his castle where I would dine in splendor night after night. It didn't happen and I have no plan B. Start saving when you are young, you will thank yourself one day, trust me!
2.A job with benefits. My dad pressured me to join the Military when I was young, touting things like, free uniforms, health care, dental plans, retirement package etc. All I heard was he wanted me to work for minimum wage where total strangers could yell at me all day long and I would be one of the faceless masses with no voice of my own. Ok, I probably still wouldn't join the military but I wasn't listening to the message which was, job security and a good benefits package. I have been self employed basically my whole life. I have never had a paid holiday, never had health benefits, have nothing that looks like a retirement package and no job security. That is a scary place to be, needless to say, I haven't had a ton of holidays in my life and there will be no retirement for me, I will have to work until I drop in my tracks.
To be honest I'm not sure I could have chosen a career in my youth that would have stimulated me and that I would have enjoyed working at for 50 odd years but I could have sat down and thought about it a bit more for sure. My advice on that, is think of things you absolutely love in life. What fascinates you, what drives you, what would you do for free because it gives you joy or a challenge. Now find yourself a career that allows you to do that every day. You may have to go to school to get the appropriate training but at least you have a goal and you know the path to get there. Trust me , that's half the battle!
Too many people just go through life figuring it will come to them someday, their dream job will just fall into their lap. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, better you put some effort into being on the right track. Many people also get stuck in jobs they hate and have no room for advancement in and feel trapped because now they are too old to start over. Really think about how you are going to make a living, how you are going to make your mark in the world.
Don't kid yourself, we all have to do something, it might as well be something you like and are good at. Do you really need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a BA in some obscure subject that in the end won't qualify you to even flip hamburgers at McDonald's? Yes an education is important, but try and spend your money on something that will give you a tangible return. You won't get those years back, make them count for something. And don't count on winning the lottery, you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning ten times!
3. Taking better care of my health. Wow, where do I start here?
Well I never had a dental plan, so looking after my teeth was expensive and often put off. Lets just say I really regret that now.
I started smoking at eleven years old( I know, I know, terrible!) however, as any reformed smoker can tell you, it's a lifelong addiction once you start. I'm now paying the price with reduced lung capacity which limits my physical activity. Just don't start and drinking alcohol is highly overrated as well. There are better things to spend your money on, your really NOT cool when your stupid drunk and being an idiot. The brain cells you save will thank you down the road.
Suntanning. I was the queen of tanning. I loved having a golden tan pretty much year round. At the beach from April til September and in the tanning booths the rest of the year. Now I have ugly age spots, scary brown spots, and wrinkles in places there shouldn't be. I could have done all the things I did, I just should have sat in the shade, covered up more and avoided getting burnt.
Exercise. I just kept putting it off, thinking I would get in shape one of these days. Well I probably still could but it will be a huge struggle at my age and I feel it every day that I am not in shape. Every joint hurts, it's hard to do anything, bending over to tie my shoe can be an effort some days. Get regular exercise every single day! No excuses unless you want to spend the second half of your life in a motorized wheel chair. Change it up, dance one day, ski the next, go for walks after dinner, ride your bike to work, stretch often, take the stairs, just get off your ass, every. single. day! Avoid vicious contact sports. I've met many millionaires that can't climb a set of stairs because of high school football injuries...just saying...
4. Be a better friend. You know you can't take it with you, right? If you spend your whole life working hard, always making excuses why you can't do things with your friends because your too busy, one day they just won't be there, they will have moved on. Your friends are your most precious commodity in life. The laughs you share, the comfort you receive when you are down are priceless. Take the time to really listen to people, give them a hand when they need it, be a shoulder to cry on, or be the person that cheers them up. You can't do everything by yourself, your community is your lifeline, treat it with respect and love. Be as good of a friend and neighbor as you would like to be treated in return.
5. Meditate. Or something that looks like it. Once a day turn off everything that distracts you; the TV, the computer, video games, the ipod, whatever. Take some time to sit quietly and let your own thoughts come to the surface. Learn to recognize when your instincts are telling you something, they are always right, but if you live in a world where you are constantly bombarded by external stimuli, you won't be able to hear your quiet inner voice that is trying to tell you what you need to know. Pay attention to the signs that the universe is sending you.
6. Love yourself just the way you are. Don't ever hold back on doing something just because you don't think your good enough/skinny enough/smart enough etc. Just do it, you are fine just the way you are, have that experience, dance like no one is watching, laugh ... A LOT, especially at yourself, don't take things so seriously. Being a kid/teenager is hard, small things seem to matter so much, the length of your pants, how you wear your hair, spots on your chin... none of that will matter in a few years, let the drama roll off your back, you will get through this and it will not matter in the grand scheme of things. This is just a phase, it too will pass and life has many exciting things in store for you. Besides to be really honest, no one is really watching, they are too worried about what people are thinking of them.
7. Learn how to make things from scratch. We live in a very convienient world these days, pretty much anything you need, you can buy at the store already made and ready to go. But what if something happens, a natural diaster or war, something that prevents you from just running out and buying what you need. Learn the old ways, you might never need them, but if you do, they will save your life. Man lived without electricity, plastic and a meriad of other things for thousands of years, don't become so reliant on the grid that you are helpless if it disappears.
8. Be grateful! Every single day, take a few moments to stop and just be grateful for what you have. Count your blessings..literally! example: I am grateful for the sink full of dirty dishes because it means I had enough to eat tonight. Even things that seem like a negative can be a postive when you look at things that way. Just remember, no matter how bad you think you have it, there is someone who wishes they were in your shoes, that they had your opportunities in life.
9. Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty. It doesn't take much to put a smile on someones face and the repercussions could last all day and affect the hundreds of people that they run into. Doing something nice for someone else is the best way to feel good about yourself. Giving to others is the gift that always gives back.
10. Keep a journal and write peoples names on the backs of photos. Your memory is not as great as you think it is. More than anything in the world , I really, really wish I had kept journals all my life. I have had a very interesting life and now I can't remember half of it. I look back at my grade school pictures and can't name more than one or two people in them ( mind you I did move every year of my childhood, maybe it's different if you spent many years with the same kids) but still, there are people that will pass through your life for a short time and they will make an impact. Thirty years later you will want to look them up on facebook and you won't be able to because you will have forgotten their names. If you keep a journal, you will be able to go back years later and read what you were going through at the time and you will love the stories and the memories and have the names that go with them!
Plus it's a cool thing to hand down to your kids someday. Why? Because you will not listen to a word I just said, you will do things YOUR way and when you get older and have kids of your own, you will look back on your life and say...If I had it to do over....
..and maybe your kids might learn from your experiences!
What things would you change if you had your life to live over?
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Saturday, 28 May 2011
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Treating Herpes Simplex
Herpes Simplex
Herpes simplex is a viral disease affecting the mucous membranes and the skin. It can be categorized by two types:
Type I begins with a tingling feeling in the face, cheeks, nose, eyes or lips and results in cold cores, skin eruptions and, if you have already had the chicken pox virus, painful shingles.
Herpes simplex Type II is the sexually transmitted type, with first indications of the disease being a tingling sensation in the genitals. The affected area then itches, burns and develops a blister, which will usually heal over a period of about two weeks. Both types of herpes simplex are highly infections and are usually transmitted by contact. Often a person with Type I got the disease as a child but showed no symptoms. Later, the virus might unexpectedly appear when the immune system is weakened or there is a skin irritation. Treating the herpes simplex virus with herbal compresses and essential oils can both speed the healing process and prevent scarring. Consult your doctor if you have sexually-transmitted herpes or shingles.
Grapefruit-Seed Extract For Types I and II
Grapefruit-seed extract will mobilize bodily defenses and help make the herpes virus harmless. Mix 1 part of the extract (available at most health-food stores) with 9 parts of water. Dampen cotton swabs with the mixture and dab any blisters you have several times a day to hasten the immune response of your body.
What You Can Do: Begin by taking antiviral herbs and formulas that boost the body's immune system the minute you suspect an infection. You can usually prevent a larger blister from forming if you begin treatment as soon as you notice tingling. Applying teas or tinctures will also help speed the healing process. Although blisters heal on their own after several weeks, remember that they are infectious, even when they have healed and a crust has formed.
Essential Oils Disinfect: Some essential oils can be more beneficial than others in treating a herpes infection because of their strong antiseptic properties. Tea-tree oil is especially effective and will help stabilize the immune system and act as a disinfectant as well. Other oils that relieve inflammation and discourage viral multiplication are bergamot, lemon balm and chamomile. Tea-tree oil may be used undiluted on your skin, while the other oils should be mixed with a carrier oil, such as sweet-almond or olive oil.
Boosting the Immune System: Whenever your immune system has been weakened - when you have a cold or you are under unusual emotional or physical stress, for example - you are more likely to contract a viral infection, such as herpes simplex. If you exercise in fresh air and take vitamins, you can help boost your immune system. Consider taking supplements such as vitamin C, zinc, B-complex and beta-carotene, which will support the immune response and help fight viruses. For acute or chronic infections, St. John's wort, echinacea, licorice or astragalus will support the body's defenses and help speed the healing process.
Daily Ritual: Lemon-balm tincture has proven to be a very good treatment for Type I and II herpes blisters, Lemon balm's constituents, along with citronella oil and citral, work to hamper the multiplication of the herpes-simplex virus and soothe infected skin. Make a tincture from 1/3 oz. of lemon-balm leaves and 3-1/2 oz. of vodka. or rum. Dab a bit of the tincture on the blisters several times a day.
Natural Healing Techniques
These healing applications can be used for both Type I and II outbreaks.
· Lysine: L-Lysine is a naturally occurring amino acid that inhibits the ability of a herpes virus to reproduce itself by combating the excess L-arginine the enzyme that activates breakouts) . Take several grams per day for 1 month at the onset of an outbreak. Those who are plagued by repeat eruptions may take it regularly. This is a very effective treatment!
· Zinc: Zinc is a trace element that speeds up the healing process by drying out blisters and killing the virus. Use zinc paste or zinc powder from a pharmacy. You can also make a zinc solution: Dissolve 4 g. of zinc sulfate in 1/2 cup of boiled, and then cooled, water. Dampen a linen cloth or cotton ball with the solution and apply to blisters.
· Zinc: Zinc is a trace element that speeds up the healing process by drying out blisters and killing the virus. Use zinc paste or zinc powder from a pharmacy. You can also make a zinc solution: Dissolve 4 g. of zinc sulfate in 1/2 cup of boiled, and then cooled, water. Dampen a linen cloth or cotton ball with the solution and apply to blisters.
·If anyone suffers from any type of virus they should also look into a medicinal strength aloe vera juice (at least 10,000 MPS polysaccharide count), which has been clinically proven to assist the body to fight off viruses. We use Super Aloe Vera Juice because of it's extensive research and cure rate. It's even shown remarkable anti-viral properties with HIV sufferers.
· Ice Applications: Keep an impending outbreak in check by applying ice to the area. Wrap an ice cube in a handkerchief and press it on the affected region, Keep pressing it against the area for as long as you can, taking occasional breaks, so your skin does not get overly or painfully cold. This works best if you catch it in the tingly stage before it breaks out.
·There are topical ointments that are useful to lessen the neuralgia pain. Most of them contain plantain tincture, aloe gel and/or Capsicum (cayenne) pepper.
Prevention
· Strong sunlight can cause an outbreak of herpes blisters,. Be sure to protect your lips with an ointment that has a high sun-protection factor.
· Keep your toothbrush dry when not using it, and get a new one every 4 weeks. Wet toothbrushes offer optimal conditions for the herpes virus.
· Eat chocolate, dairy products, cereals, almonds (nuts in general), red wine and chicken in moderation, as they suppress an acid that retards the growth of the virus.
· Stress weakens the immune system and encourages herpes. Exercise, such as yoga or walking, helps alleviate stress.
Monday, 23 May 2011
Tinnitus
Tinnitus
The term tinnitus is derived from Latin and means "to ring like a bell," although sufferers report hearing a variety of sounds, from buzzing and humming to clanging and roaring. There is generally no external source for these sounds; instead, the auditory nerve transmits impulses to the brain, which perceives them as persistent ringing or other noises. While the symptoms of this condition may vary, what is common among those who have it is the impact it has on their lives - often disrupting work and sleep. One of the most common causes of tinnitus is exposure to loud noises, such as rock music or gunshots. However, even an allergy or simple buildup of earwax can cause your ears to ring. Some medicines can also provoke tinnitus. Or, in rare cases, it could be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as Ménière's disease, hypertension, nerve damage or tumors. If a doctor rules out an underlying physical cause, therapies such as diet, herbs, chiropractic and homeopathics may improve or even heal the condition.
Ginkgo Promotes Circulation
Traditional Chinese medicine considers the ears to be part of the kidney meridian, which makes tinnitus a standard kidney symptom. Prescribed in China for thousands of years as a "kidney yin" tonic, the leaves from the ginkgo tree effectively treat tinnitus and other conditions often associated with aging. Its components, especially ginkgolide B, can improve circulation to the brain and deliver more oxygen top the ears. Ginkgo comes in tincture, tea and capsule forms and is available at most health-food stores.
What You Can Do: Tinnitus can be exacerbated by alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and certain types of medication, so reducing your intake of these substances can help to alleviate the condition, Stress, too, can affect ringing in the ears. Stress management and relaxation techniques may be helpful. If the ringing is persistent or if you experience pain or fever, consult a doctor.
Protect Your Ears: Always wear earplugs or some form of ear protection when using lawn mowers, power tools or other loud appliances. The United States Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration (OSHA) recommends using earplugs rated for at least twice as many decibels as you need to ensure protection. When listening to music, keep the volume at a level that allows you to easily hear the telephone and other sounds. When wearing a headset, you should be the only one to hear the music. If someone standing near you can hear it as well, you could very well be causing damage to the cells in your inner ear; these cells translate sound waves into nerve impulses sent to the brain.
Chiropractic Relief: Tinnitus accompanied by muscle pain or spinal problems may indicate that the ringing is a result of a misalignment. Chiropractic treatment of the upper spine, neck and head can provide relief. Manipulation often frees the blockages and reduces the strain in upper-back and neck muscles that could lead to tinnitus.
Extra Tip: Vascular disease, common in the elderly and in heavy smokers, impairs both circulation and oxygen flow, and can cause tinnitus. Certain herbs have been found effective in strengthening blood vessels. Try hawthorn, bilberry or St. John's Wort.
Therapeutic Teas
To Promote Calm
If tinnitus is related to stress or anxiety, a tea made from medicinal herbs can be a quick and calming remedy.
1 oz. passionflower leaves
1 oz. peppermint leaves
1 oz. chamomile leaves
1 oz. chamomile flowers
1 oz. hops
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 3 tbsp. of the tea blend. Steep for 10 minutes; then strain. Drink 1 cup of the tea 3 times daily.
To Reduce Ear Congestion
If the symptoms of tinnitus are related to allergies and congestion in the ears, the following tea may be helpful.
1 oz. nettles
1 oz. eyebright
1 oz. thyme leaves
1 oz. yarrow
4 oz. licorice
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp. of this herb blend. Steep for 10 minutes; then strain. Drink 1 cup of the tea 4 times daily.
Home Remedy
For earwax buildup, do not use cotton swabs, as they can push earwax further into the ear canal. Instead, use either a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part warm water. Using an eyedropper, put a few drops in your ears and allow them to settle for a minute; then drain.
Homeopathic Remedies
Take 5 capsules daily until your specific symptoms subside.
· Aconitum 6X for sudden or nighttime occurrences of tinnitus, or if the ringing is related to anxiety or stress.
· Apis 6X for a buzzing or humming noise that sounds like a swarm of bees.
· Petroleum 6X if the pulsing of blood circulation is audible in the ear.
· China 4X if noise becomes unpleasant due to nervous exhaustion.
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Sunday, 22 May 2011
Old Home Remedies
Here are some remedies that could be useful to know and we all have some of this stuff in our homes...
-Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost
immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers.
- Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.
- Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with
mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong
Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
-Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in
1/2 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes,then apply it
as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
- Sore Throat?? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take
1 Tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
- Cure urinary tract infections with alka-seltzer. Just dissolve two
tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms.
Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost
instantly-even though the product was never been advertised for this
use.
-Eliminate puffiness under your eyes.....All you need is a dab of
preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The
hemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling
instantly.
immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers.
- Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.
- Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with
mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong
Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
-Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in
1/2 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes,then apply it
as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
- Sore Throat?? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take
1 Tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
- Cure urinary tract infections with alka-seltzer. Just dissolve two
tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms.
Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost
instantly-even though the product was never been advertised for this
use.
-Eliminate puffiness under your eyes.....All you need is a dab of
preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The
hemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling
instantly.
-Honey remedy for Skin Blemishes......Cover the blemish with a dab of
honey and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the
skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
-Easy eyeglass protection....To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from
loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to
the threads of the screws before tightening them.
-Coca-Cola cure for rust...Forget those expensive rust removers. Just
saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The
phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
-Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer....If menacing bees, wasps
hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the
insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground
instantly.
-Smart splinter remover.....just pour a drop of Elmers Glue-all over the
splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter
sticks to the dried glue.
-Hunt's tomato paste boil cure....Cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste
as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the
boil to a head.
-Balm for broken blisters.....To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few
drops of Listerine....a powerful antiseptic.
-Heinz vinegar to heal bruises...Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and
apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and
speeds up the healing process.
- Kill fleas instantly. Dawn dishwashing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well
to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas
-Rainy day cure for dog odor....Next time your dog comes in from the
rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet,
instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
-Eliminate ear mites....All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in
your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat
daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites,
and accelerates healing.
-Vaseline cure for hairballs.....To prevent troublesome hairballs, apply
a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat's nose. The cat will
lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass
easily through the digestive system.
-Quaker Oats for fast pain relief....It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix
2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the
microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your
hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas
-Rainy day cure for dog odor....Next time your dog comes in from the
rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet,
instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
-Eliminate ear mites....All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in
your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat
daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites,
and accelerates healing.
-Vaseline cure for hairballs.....To prevent troublesome hairballs, apply
a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat's nose. The cat will
lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass
easily through the digestive system.
-Quaker Oats for fast pain relief....It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix
2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the
microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your
hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
-Magnesium has been found to lessen the frequency of the migraine headaches as well as reduce the severity of migraine pain. Taking a magnesium supplement daily is effective as a home remedy for migraine.
(However nuts, although good sources of magnesium are also migraine triggers and are best avoided).
(However nuts, although good sources of magnesium are also migraine triggers and are best avoided).
-Home Remedy for Migraine with Chamomile Tea. Drink chamomile tea daily as a preventative measure.
-When you feel the primary signs of a migraine coming on take two alka seltzer tablets. (Alka Seltzer Gold are definitely preferred). It is difficult to say why this works- they will alkalize your whole body making it impossible for a fully fledged migraine to develop.
-Home Remedy for Migraine with Vitamin B -Take a Vitamin B complex tablet on a daily basis. Research has shown many migraine sufferers do not get enough of the B Group vitamins from their diet, a supplement can prevent attacks.
-Home Remedy for Migraine with FeverfewFour to six leaves of fresh feverfew or 50 milligram in dried form has been known to relieve symptoms considerably.
Here are some remedies involving ingredients present at home to cure the nail fungus:
- Vinegar: Fill a basin with equal proportions of warm water and vinegar. It is a good choice to use apple cider vinegar for this treatment. For about twenty minutes soak your toenails in the solution and wipe them thoroughly with a dry towel followed by a super absorbent paper. This remedy is most effective if done twice daily until the signs are not seen.
- Oil: Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and fungicide. Rub the oil on the affected nail with the help of cotton balls dipped in the oil. Do this twice or thrice daily until the symptoms disappear completely.
- Listerine: With the hype about staying hygienic, almost all houses have Listerine mouthwash in their washrooms. Soak the affected nail in Listerine for around twenty minutes. Doing this twice daily will eradicate the fungus completely.
- Alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is very easily available at pharmacies. Soak the toenail with rubbing alcohol for twenty minutes, at least twice daily. Make sure you wipe off the alcohol completely using super absorbent paper towels
- Hydrogen peroxide: Use a 3 percent solution for this purpose. Hydrogen peroxide can be found in any pharmacy in your area. Soak your nail with hydrogen peroxide for twenty minutes twice in a day to get the maximum result. You can also mix equal amount of this solution with water if you feel it harsh on your skin. Dry with super absorbent material so that it is completely dry.
- Rub Thyme Essential Oil into nail beds with a cotton ball sevel times a day I'm sure I will come across many more home remedies in time, they will have to wait for another post. How about you, do you have any old home remedies you would like to share with us?
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Journaling Tools
A few weeks ago, I read a post by Dan Pearce, blogger extraordinaire that writes Single Dad Laughing. In it , he described a journaling exercise I had never heard of before. I think it's brilliant and wanted to share it with you. I think journalling is an excellent way to relieve stress and deal with negative feelings in a constructive way. I have done many different journalling exercises over the years, I suppose thats how I came to blogging. My first blog, The Cyberangel Chronicles was basically my online diary. I prefer typing to my chicken scratch handwriting but I find I censor myself more when I think someone else might be reading it. I do like Dans technique though and suppose I could just email myself when I want to work out my issues. So next time you have a problem, try this method of getting to the root of things so that you can sort things out.
Journaling to find the root of the problem by Dan Pearce
A couple weeks ago, I wrote the post Sit Down and Write. In it, I promised that I was going to write about a process I personally use to get to the bottom of whatever issues I may be dealing with. It's called journaling, and it's a method that was taught to me by my counselor.
The idea is simple enough. The process takes blatant honesty, which isn't always simple, even when you're dedicated to the idea.
Journaling to find the root of the problem.
Step One: Write down the problem or the issue that you're dealing with.
Step Two: Write down the question, "why is that such a big deal to me?"
Step Three: Answer the question.
Step Four: Write down the question, "why is that a big deal to me?"
Step Five: Answer the question.
Step Six: Continue in this process until you get to the underlying root of the problem.
Step Seven: Write down your emotional need based on the root you've discovered.
Step Eight: Give yourself an action item to deal with the root (not the original problem) as well as to get your emotional need met.
It's much easier if you see it in action before trying it yourself. Here is a journal I did shortly after my second wife left to help me figure out why I was upset with a friend. The names have all been changed.
The idea is simple enough. The process takes blatant honesty, which isn't always simple, even when you're dedicated to the idea.
Journaling to find the root of the problem.
Step One: Write down the problem or the issue that you're dealing with.
Step Two: Write down the question, "why is that such a big deal to me?"
Step Three: Answer the question.
Step Four: Write down the question, "why is that a big deal to me?"
Step Five: Answer the question.
Step Six: Continue in this process until you get to the underlying root of the problem.
Step Seven: Write down your emotional need based on the root you've discovered.
Step Eight: Give yourself an action item to deal with the root (not the original problem) as well as to get your emotional need met.
It's much easier if you see it in action before trying it yourself. Here is a journal I did shortly after my second wife left to help me figure out why I was upset with a friend. The names have all been changed.
CURRENT ISSUE: I am frustrated that John doesn’t want me to hang out with our mutual female friends alone. Particularly Janie and Deb.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because they are my friends too, and all I want to do is hang out with them when I’m bored or lonely.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I feel that John has unspoken reasons of why he doesn’t want me to hang out with them if he’s not there.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I feel like John has insecurities when comparing himself to me and that it is causing him to not want girls that he has liked to hang out with me alone because they might like me instead of him.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I am not interested in them that way, and I feel that John has no reason to feel insecure against somebody who has been divorced twice and is broke.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I want John to be a true friend in that he doesn’t compare himself to me, rather he just enjoys what comes to our lives as a result of both of us being friends to many people.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because that’s what best friends and bros do.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I consider John my best friend and bro right now, and I need to know that he’s secure enough that it won’t cause problems with my ability to have personal friends.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I feel that personal friends is a huge need in my life right now.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I feel that, besides John, I don’t really have any really close really good personal friends right now, and with all of this pain and all of this heartache I’m going through, I need the closeness of others.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I need validation that I’m still a good, decent person worth people liking and wanting to be around.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because right now I’m feeling like a big loser and that everybody is judging me for what has happened to me.
Why is that a big deal to me?
Because I am scared that if they judge me for what has happened to me, that they will not want to be close to me or that they’ll no longer look up to or respect me or want to be friends.
ROOT EMOTION: Fear of Rejection
EMOTIONAL NEED: To know that people that I already know and love or am friends with still want to be friends with me even after what has happened.
ACTION STEPS: Read this journaling chain to John and ask him to let me meet my emotional needs by being okay with me hanging with mutual female friends sometimes in order to validate that I am still wanted. Also, discuss with John what his root emotion might be and what action steps I might take to help with any emotional need.
After doing this chain, I was able to see that I was upset because I had a fear of rejection (which is quite often the case when doing these chains). Once I figured that out, I was able to be real about it and get my emotional needs met. I completed my action steps, and the problem immediately went away.
The problem is, most of us try and treat the symptom instead of the disease when we're dealing with things. As we do rash things to try and correct the surface issues, our needs go unmet, and we often do more damage than good in the process. By doing a journaling session before we tackle pressing issues, it opens up the ability to make decisions that actually have the ability to fix things for us.
The key, and often the trickiest part, is to forget about the original problem while you do your journaling. Every time you ask the question "Why is that a big deal to me?" you need to focus only on whatever was written immediately before it, forgetting your original problem altogether. You can't let what originally bugged you affect anything else. If you do, you'll have a hard time getting to the true root.
So, there you have it. It's the process I use to make sure I'm overcoming my life's problems in the most healthy way possible, and it has really done some good things for me. Take it or leave it. I hope you'll at least try it. It can be used for heavy issues, and it can be used for simple and barely significant issues. It can be used to figure out the hard stuff such as heart-pounding jealousy or resentment towards loved ones as much as it can be used to figure out why you're annoyed by something seemingly minuscule.
After doing this chain, I was able to see that I was upset because I had a fear of rejection (which is quite often the case when doing these chains). Once I figured that out, I was able to be real about it and get my emotional needs met. I completed my action steps, and the problem immediately went away.
The problem is, most of us try and treat the symptom instead of the disease when we're dealing with things. As we do rash things to try and correct the surface issues, our needs go unmet, and we often do more damage than good in the process. By doing a journaling session before we tackle pressing issues, it opens up the ability to make decisions that actually have the ability to fix things for us.
The key, and often the trickiest part, is to forget about the original problem while you do your journaling. Every time you ask the question "Why is that a big deal to me?" you need to focus only on whatever was written immediately before it, forgetting your original problem altogether. You can't let what originally bugged you affect anything else. If you do, you'll have a hard time getting to the true root.
So, there you have it. It's the process I use to make sure I'm overcoming my life's problems in the most healthy way possible, and it has really done some good things for me. Take it or leave it. I hope you'll at least try it. It can be used for heavy issues, and it can be used for simple and barely significant issues. It can be used to figure out the hard stuff such as heart-pounding jealousy or resentment towards loved ones as much as it can be used to figure out why you're annoyed by something seemingly minuscule.
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Saturday, 21 May 2011
How to See and Read the Aura
Every living thing is made of energy and that energy produces an electrical field around the physical object. That field is visable through the peripheral vision. You can practice techniques to improve your ability to see auras and learn to interpret what you are seeing. Dr.Tom Chalko has written another wonderful article explaining how to see and read Auras How to see and READ the AURA: Dr Tom Chalko | ||||||||||||
There is nothing “paranormal” in the Universe, except our limited understanding of Nature. What we think we “know” on Earth now is just a tiny drop in the Ocean of Knowledge. | ||||||||||||
What is the Aura ?Everything in the Universe seems to be just a vibration. Every atom, every part of an atom, every electron, every elementary “particle”, even our thoughts and consciousness are just vibrations. Hence, we may define the Aura as a electro-photonic vibration response of an object to some external excitation (such as an ambient light for example). This definition is sufficient for the purpose of reading Auras, providing that we can train ourselves to see the Aura vibration. Our Eyes Increasing exposure
Matching your aura with environment Suggested reading |
Well I certainly found that informative and with only a few minutes of practising the eye exercises, I was already able to see my aura. I will definitely be working at making it a bigger, better, healthier aura.
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